1491-1607 Flashcards
In 1492, what ocean did Christopher Columbus cross? And why?
Atlantic Ocean. He wanted to find a route to Asia many for profit for Spain. He also conquered the land and planted crosses to attempt to convert the natives.
Who funded Christopher Columbus’s expedition to the America?
The Spanish crown (king Ferdinand and Queen Isabella)
Who did Christopher Columbus find when he reached the Americas and how did they act?
The Taino people or noble ones (native Americans) and they were peaceful.
What did Christopher Columbus rename an island in the America’s to? And what did he do to the problem he found there?
San Salvador, he enslaved the Taino people
What are the 3 main reason for exploring?
Gold,land, and Religon.
How did Christopher Columbus decide to colonize the Native Americans, and what’s something that made it easier for the Spanish to colonize?
Control the inhabitants and force them to work and dominate them with sophisticated weapons.
Disease. Indians had no natural immunity’s to European disease killing thousands. These diseases include measles, mumps, chickenpox and smallpox. Therefore it was harder for them to revolt on the top of the fact that Europeans had more sophisticated weaponry.
What did the lack of native Americans die to do disease cause the start of?
The Atlantic slave trade. Europeans needed more slaves since many Indians were dying so they looked to Africans.
What was the treaty of Tordesillas originally and how was it changed?
Originally in 1493 it was decided by the papal of Spain to divide the land in South American unfairly with the Portuguese. In 1494 the actually treaty gave Portugal a fairer deal, with Portugal gaining Brazil. (More trade for Portugal)
What are conquistadors?
Explorers lured by the prospect of vast lands filled with gold and silver
Who was Hermando Cortes and what did he do in 1519?
A conquistador from Spain who led an army in southeastern Mexico to conquer the Aztecs. He successfully did so thanks to the fact that the Aztecs were overrun by disease. Cortes laid plans for New Spain with the capital Mexico City.
Who was Emperor Montezuma, and how did he react to Hermando Cortes?
Emperor of the Aztecs who gave Hermando Cortes and the Spaniards invading gold and silver thinking it was a good thing.
Who were the peninsulares and mestizos?
P = Spanish settlers in the Americas
M = Marriages between peninsulares and native women that created a mixed Spanish and Native American population.
What was the enconmienda system? And when was it abolished? By who?
A system in which natives farmed, ranched and mined for Spanish landlords. It was abolished in 1592 by the Spanish Monarchy who then turned to African Slaves for their labor force.
